In response to a public records request from an ESPN reporter, the Tallahassee Police Department has released more than 300 police records. Happy reading!
Your tax dollars hard at work.
The City of Tallahassee issued a press release Wednesday detailing the release of more than 300 police records in response to an ESPN reporter’s public records request.
According to the release, ESPN requested any police records from the Tallahassee Police Department containing names of 360 individuals identified as athletes at Florida State University.
The department turned over any records where anyone named in the request was mentioned in a report as a witness, victim, suspect or reporting party.
"“We are committed to ensuring that every citizen of this community, including our university students, know that we take every report of possible criminal activity seriously,” said police chief Michael DeLeo. “We also have an obligation, under state law, to respond to national media requests such as this and have done so professionally and with a commitment to openness.”"
Even if it does have a bit of a “here, choke on these” feel to it.
More from College Football
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- Jim Harbaugh facing 4-game suspension over NCAA violations
- College football neutral site games in 2023: Full list
- College GameDay announces surprise Week 1 destination
- College football analyst warns Oklahoma that Texas is doing better prep for SEC
The case files were reviewed as part of the collection process and one case was found to have had a piece of evidence that was not processed.
The evidence collected in July was processed, had no impact on the case and the case was reclosed.
The department also referenced one case that was not turned over involving current Seminole player Dalvin Cook. The case from July is still under investigation. Active cases can’t be turned over.
So we can prepare ourselves for some sort of breaking news story from the worldwide leader involving jaywalking cases and parking violations from 15 years ago, which will probably be couched in the context of an athletic program out of control or some other such headline-grabbing, attention-seeking manner.
Open-records requests are a vital part of investigative journalism. We get that. Unfortunately, they are also a vital part of witch hunts and smear campaigns.
Here’s hoping ESPN is participating in the former, rather than one of the latter.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return